Harley Davidson Xlh 883 (1999)
1999 Harley Davidson Xlh 883
CarHunch analysed 282 real MOT records for the 1999 Harley Davidson Xlh 883. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 1999 Harley-Davidson XLH 883 is slightly more reliable than average, with an 85.7% first-time MOT pass rate against the UK average of 80%, and only 11.7% of bikes in this cohort have ever recorded a dangerous defect—a reassuringly low figure for a machine now 25 years old. The modest failure rate of 1.43 per vehicle suggests that when problems do arise, they tend to be repairable rather than systemic.
These bikes are running surprisingly low mileage for their age, averaging just 13,806 miles, which explains much of their good MOT performance and indicates most have been weekend or collection bikes rather than daily commuters. The 4.6 advisories per bike tell you routine maintenance items (brake wear, light adjustments, exhaust condition) are the norm, so budget for regular upkeep—but if you're buying one, check the service history carefully to confirm previous owners stayed on top of these smaller jobs.
What to check before buying a 1999 Harley Davidson Xlh 883
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Harley Davidson Xlh 883
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 281 | 85.6% | 1.43 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1999 Harley Davidson Xlh 883 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1999 Harley Davidson Xlh 883 vehicles fall between 7,224 and 18,259 miles.
1999 Harley Davidson Xlh 883 — Still on the Road
106 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 67% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Harley Davidson Xlh 883?
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